Sakhr one of the oldest Arabic software companies that was founded in 1982, has officially launched today one of its break-through technologies, the Arabic Language Buddy™ for iPhone. This speech-activated translator enables Real-Time, interactive English to Arabic translation that enhances language learning, cultural exchange and foreign travel assistance. Users can speak or type any English sentence, view the Arabic translation, and hear it played out loud.

The app is useful to a wide range of people including Arabic language students, the millions of people traveling to the Arab world for business or leisure, the millions of expats living in the Arab world, US security personnel and for 10s of thousands of the US occupying forces in the Arab region. It will also be useful to the US president Mr. Barak Hussein Obama whenever he meets with any of the Arab leaders .

The app is available on the iTunes store here for $9.99 download fee for first month. After 30 days, subscription renewals are priced at $49.99 per month for academic users and $149.99 per month for other users, with discounts for semester and 1-year sign-up. (Previously stored translations remain available without subscription renewal.)

( Update1: the app price is ridiculously too expensive, even more expensive than many mobile handsets!!! thus it will be out of reach for many people.)

Update 2:

Arabic Language Buddy requires a 3G or WiFi connection to operate and compute the translation on the cloud. If a network connection is not available, users can use the “Recents” page and re-use those translations if applicable.

Arabic Language Buddy may support other mobile devices in the future. For government and business customers, Sakhr’s Mobile S2S bi-directional English-Arabic translator application is currently available on the iPhone and BlackBerry Bold.

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Tarek is the founder and chief researcher at Youngberry, a youth research and marketing firm dedicated to the region. Tarek founded interactiveME.com and previously worked as Manager at Flip Media (Interactive Agency), Bayt.com (Job Site) and Consulting House Qatar (Consulting firm).
He is researcher and writer on internet & disruptive innovation, entrepreneurship, and youth culture.